Pain Management Instructions

Pain Management instructions

Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender, similar to a bruise, for several days after treatment. Postoperative symptoms are generally proportional to preoperative symptoms and usually peak about 3-4 days after treatment. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm.

Every patient and every tooth is different and there are varying levels of discomfort. Some patients may even have discomfort for longer (i.e. two weeks). Please make sure you continue to brush and floss the area normally.

Our general recommendation is to take 600 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for 3 days. We recommend that you take this whether you are having pain or not. Pain is much easier to control preemptively. If you are unable to take NSAIDs including ibuprofen due to a medical condition, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an acceptable alternative. We recommend 650 mg every 6 hours.

If the pain is not manageable with ibuprofen alone, it is suggested to combine 600 mg ibuprofen with 650 mg acetaminophen. Take them together every 6 hours. Your doctor may have prescribed a narcotic medication, such as Norco. If the ibuprofen/acetaminophen combination is not sufficient, it is recommended to combine the ibuprofen with the narcotic. Please DO NOT take acetaminophen with the prescribed narcotic. There is acetaminophen in the narcotic and doubling up could have adverse effects.

It is recommended to avoid chewing on the affected side until a final restoration is placed. This will minimize trauma to the tooth that could cause pain and will protect the tooth from breaking.

If swelling should develop or you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above-listed regimen, please contact our office at 415-566-6900 or  415-528-7590.